Transcript for Iran's Nuclear Ambitions the Focus of Obama-Netanyahu Meeting

This is a special room. Local and I'm -- that's our New York with this ABC news digital special report just eleven hours ago before a government shutdown but the White House. Has shifted its attention to the Middle East President Obama meeting with Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu is too few moments ago. The primary focus was expected to be Iran and the latest talk on its nuclear ambitions and ABC's -- Bruce joining us now from outside the white house with more on this meaning. So Mary. Any talk of top about the shut down. Very briefly the president I think with asked a question at the end of photo op in the Oval Office just now prime minister Netanyahu about the -- and he says. He's not resigned to his it would do it just yet. But he did again continue to urge Republican lawmakers to go ahead and pass a clean bill -- to say again that. His signature health care -- on any other issue should not be used as a bargaining chip. To -- have lawmakers do essentially is their job which is to pay its bills and pass -- budget and as we're waiting for some of those Palestinian made -- -- to -- a little bit about the relationship the White House has had President Obama specifically. With Israel and prime minister met Netanyahu over the past couple of years. They definitely had a tense relationship to say the least this White House has tried very hard to try -- -- without that relationship a bit we know the president. Took a trip to Israel back in March and now that relationship is hitting some more roadblocks once again when it comes to the issue of Iran not only of course the president -- -- on Capitol Hill. But tensions in the Middle East and that -- on Iran principally. Some new overtures democratic overtures by the new Iranian President Connie. Now we know the President Obama had a historic phone call with her honey on Friday they spoke for about fifteen minutes. And in part this is really an attempt that we've seen Byron honey trying to reach out to re engage the west. And that it -- primarily on the possibility that there might privilege answer to negotiate around Iran's nuclear program and that is not welcome news for the Israeli. And at the same time president Ronnie also tweeted about that last week which is really of historic proportions -- -- from that connection. Between the two countries since 1979 but also the ways of communicating. That. Both world leaders had expressed themselves. It's come a little bit about the prime minister's role that as far as how -- be presenting the United Nations tomorrow and how that might impact the Ronnie and US relationship. We expect -- the Israelis and prime minister Netanyahu actually come out against Iran and against these new democratic diplomatic overtures that we're seeing from Iran. Israel Israel and Israelis they just aren't buying it they continue to believe that Iran is trying to develop nuclear weapons and they don't want to see any of this negotiating. Between the US and Iran on these issues so we expect it will hear prime minister Netanyahu come out and caution against. Negotiating with the Iran hands. Now even though Israel is obviously fearful of Iran's plans. Do they think at least that admitting the existence of -- holocaust. Is a significant step forward. -- -- remain highly skeptical of Iran and even though we've seen some of new opening up from the new -- and president room honey Israelis they aren't buying it as you mentioned room -- came out and condemned the -- was -- something that. His predecessor absolutely did not do -- refused to -- that the Israelis say that didn't go far enough. For instance they'd like to see group -- and and -- Ronnie and condemned those who previously condemned the Holocaust so for now -- the Israelis remain highly skeptical and very wary -- are on. And given the fact that Israel is the US's strongest ally in that region. How the relations -- building that over these next couple of days once the once Israel does make its presentation of the UN tomorrow. I think -- -- this White House and the president absolutely is trying to reassure Israel here that that it is being cautious it is taking it. -- is taking steps to try and negotiate and reopen a dialogue with Iran it is doing so with a great deal of hesitation. And I think it that we'll hear the president today trying to reassure Israel that it absolutely is being cautious in these this new dialogue with Iran and let's listen to what the president had to say this morning. I am not at all resigned and all have a chance to -- to speak more to this. Meeting this afternoon. Maybe some further thoughts for -- -- as the day goes on -- The bottom line is. The senate has passed. -- keeps the government. Does not have a lot of extraneous issues to. That allows us then to negotiate. A longer term budget and address a range of other issues. But that insures that we're not shutting down the government and we're not shutting down the economy. At a time way. A lot of families there are just getting some traction themselves although -- This consequence of the financial crisis. I've stood before congress has two responsibilities. -- budget. Bills and I am. Not only. Open to you. To have negotiations. Around it long term. Budget that make sure we're investing in middle class families help the economy grow. Given people we're working -- a leg up. And greater security and stability and deal was whistled for a long term. Challenges. In terms of debt and deficits. But the only way to do that. Is forever. Sit down in good faith without threatening. To harm. Women veterans. -- With -- government shutdown and certainly. We -- -- have any kind of meaningful negotiations under the cloud of potential default. The first in US history there's not a world leader. If you took a poll who would say. It would be responsible. War. Consistent with America's leadership in the world. For us not -- pay our bills. We are the foundation. The world economy. And the world financials. And our currency is the reserve for -- We don't mess -- And we certainly don't. Allow. Domestic policy differences. On issues that are unrelated to the budget. In danger. -- our economy but the workshop so. I suspect that I will be speaking to the leaders today tomorrow the next day. What -- certain that there is pretty straight -- solution to this if you had set aside. The short term politics. And if you look at the long term here. What simply requires servers -- Act responsibly and do what's right or the American people. Thank you very much. And over the president's constant a couple of moments ago with the Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu by his side there but I want to elect whomever is outside the White House. And -- -- obviously the attention both internationally and domestically has really bent on what congress is doing right now at a house in the senate. I try to come to some had an agreement before that midnight deadline. The house convened at -- in the senate convenes at 2 o'clock this afternoon what does the White House this position bent on this as we fencing both of these chambers go back and forth. Has the White House taking a more aggressive stance in his recent hours. The White House's stance remains unchanged which is that it's not going to -- the president has said that he's not going to negotiate. Over the budget. When it comes to health -- he's not going to let Republicans according to his language blackmail him hold his. His agenda hostage just because they wanted responder delay obamacare his signature health care law. The president and the White House continued to say that they want to clean funding bill. That they want the senate and a -- house to simply fund -- government. So that in a little bit less than eleven hours we can avert a shutdown and -- if they want to have a discussion about health care that comes at a later time. But of course remember this bill that was debated on the on the senate and house floor was a bill that's been. Deemed constitutional until the White House says that it's time to accept the fact -- that the health care is law of the land and to go ahead and as we heard for. Congress to go ahead and do its job which means paying it. A lot of work at the eleventh hour ABC's Mary -- outside the White House Mary thank you know of course you are going to be very busy next couple of hours. Stay with abcnews.com. For the latest on those developments from Washington DC on the potential of averting a government shutdown. For now I'm -- that's -- New York with this ABC news digital special report.

This transcript has been automatically generated and may not be 100% accurate.

Now Playing: Missing student found dead in Bermuda: Police

Now Playing: The British city at the center of a Russian spy scandal

Now Playing: What Vladimir Putin's re-election means to Russia

Now Playing: Spring turns China into sea of flowers

Now Playing: Election day in Russia proves triumphant for Putin

Now Playing: Russians head to the polls to vote, but Putin expected to easily remain in power

Now Playing: Russian presidential election underway as tensions rise with UK, US

Now Playing: 16-year-old Amy Yu found in Mexico

Now Playing: Diplomatic tensions grow over former Russian spy and his daughter being poisoned

Now Playing: Skiers tossed from malfunctioning chairlift

Now Playing: Russia expelling British diplomats in retaliation for move made by UK

Now Playing: 11 people were injured on a broken ski lift in Eastern Europe

Now Playing: A fierce critic of Vladimir Putin was found dead in South London

Now Playing: War Photographer spent 81 days in captivity in Syria

Now Playing: Canada challenges Trump claim that it has trade deficit with US

Now Playing: US helicopter crash in western Iraq causes fatalities: Official

Now Playing: White House blames Moscow for poisoning former spy

Now Playing: Celebrating the work, mind and humor of Stephen Hawking

Now Playing: The UK expels 23 Russian diplomats in response to ex-spy's poisoning

Now Playing: UK to expel 23 Russian diplomats, Theresa May says

Now Playing: {{itm.title}}

{"id":20422262,"title":"Iran's Nuclear Ambitions the Focus of Obama-Netanyahu Meeting","duration":"8:50","description":"U.S. president meets with Israel's prime minister to discuss tensions across the Middle East.","url":"/International/video/irans-nuclear-ambitions-focus-obama-netanyahu-meeting-abc-20422262","section":"International","mediaType":"default"}